ABSTRACT
Visfatin was originally identifi ed as a 52 kD protein that is primarily expressed in bone marrow, muscle and liver. Visfatin has many pleiotropic actions in tissues other than adipose tissue. Several features of visfatin suggest that this molecule might be important for understanding the biological diff erences between subcutaneous and intra-abdominal adipose tissue, and their relation with metabolic syndrome and other related diseases such as gestational diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. Aft er a diet-induced weight reduction, a marked positive correlation between visfatin mRNA expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue and a negative correlation with body mass index were detected. Diet-induced weight reduction and an increase of visfatin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue with a decrease in circulating visfatin. An interesting investigation showed that aerobic exercise is associated with this reduction in circulating visfatin in young type 2 diabetes patients, too. In another interventional study, it was demonstrated that weight reduction aft er a hypocaloric diet is associated with a signifi cant decrease in circulating concentrations of visfatin in mildly obese subjects. Th ese changes in visfatin levels, a hypothetical insulin-mimetic adipokine, could have relevant implications for treatment of obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes mellitus and other manifestations of metabolic syndrome.
